Inside the New York Yankees clubhouse with MLB.com beat writer Bryan Hoch.

7/17 – Rays at Yankees

The Old-Timers’ festivities have finished (in walk-off fashion, mind you), and the Rays and Yankees are about to take the field for the middle game of this three-game set. It’s a battle of 34s on the mound, between A.J. Burnett and Jeff Niemann.

Hey, how about bringing Pavano back? Since leaving New york he’s pitching great. He’s having a super year. He obviously couldn’t handle the spotlight in New York, but we could use him at this point given the way AJ has been pitching.

Great!Now I read in another blog how Burnett got his hand cut. He punched out the plexi glass in frustration after his first 3 lousy innings and wildness and poor location and cut his hand and wouldn’t own up to it. What a loser! He’s a guy who is way too emotional to pitch on a winning team and in New York. He needs to go but who’s going to take on his huge salary given his performance this year and last. We’re probably stuck with him and it doesn’t seem anyone can help him to overcome his mechanical and mental issues. He needs to come out of the rotation for a while until he gets his act together and if he doesn’t get it together then he needs to go to the minors regardless of his big salary or try to get someone for him. I think NY fans have been patient long enough with AJ. It’s just not going to work or change.

2 for 11 with RISP. That obviously is part of the problem as to why the Yankees didn’t win tonight. It’s not only the pitching but the batters didn’t get the guys on base home. Single home runs with no one on base doesn’t really put enough runs on the board against a strong offensive team like the Rays and with Price pitching.

I guess we thought Moseley was the answer out of the pen but reality sets in after a game or two in the big leagues and he’s not the second coming of Mo. He’s going to take take time to develop and having to bring him in early in the game to pitch 4 innings against a team like the Rays is too big an assignment but at this point there doesn’t seem to be anyone else in the bullpen that can pitch long relief. And how does a pitcher get cuts on his hands? I can understand blisters but how cuts? Is that an excuse to cover for AJ again after a poor start? I wonder.

It may be the only way to get AJ out of the rotation for a while. Because he makes so much money and has a high profile Girardi is reluctant to take him out of the rotation . But he has been so inconsistent and you never really know what you’re going to get on any given night. Lately you know what you’re going to get, a pitcher that the opposition has no trouble hitting and can’t find his location and has little confidence. He needs to sit out a few games and work on his mechanics or his mental or whatever is the problem and let someone else take his place. Who is that? Not sure if Aceves isn’t coming back. They may have to trade for a good starter. Anyway, AJ for all the money he is being paid is not getting the job done and is the weak link in a rather strong rotation this year. How long do you keep waiting for him to get his location back and his confidence? How many games does he have to lose? Not a good night for the Yankees after a comeback win on Friday night. Now we’re back to 2 games in the lead and that could be one after tomorrow with Price pitching, but Pettitte has been great this year so hopefully he’ll help us at least win the series.

AJ is such a waste, He is so inconsistent it’s unbelievable.. Too bad he makes too much that no one wants him…
I often wonder what the pitching coach told the pitcher before he pats him on the butt and goes back to the dugout. Well here it is! ” We’re getting ready to pull you, So just groove it and lets see how far they can hit it” If this isn’t it, why does it happen so often??
“GO YANKEES!”

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